Dravid or Ponting both number 3s and are the 2nd and 3rd highest test run scorers ever. also both played in the same era so i thought it would be a close one.

14-05-2013, 04:01 PM

watson

There is very little between Dravid and Ponting in terms of batting talent and skill.

However, Ponting wins easily if the context is the No.3 batting position. This is because the ideal No.3 batsman should be aggressive, and like to counter-attack. That is, if one of the openers is dismissed early then they need to be able to re-claim the initiative from the bowlers. And if the openers make runs then they need to be able capitalise on the openers success by maintaining momentum and scoring quickly.

Ponting more readily falls into this description of the ideal No.3 batsman, Dravid doesn't - IMO.

14-05-2013, 04:49 PM

kyear2

Watson said it perfectly as usual. Easily Ponting for me. Much more adaptable and destructive.

14-05-2013, 05:39 PM

Adders

Hmmmmm, this is a lot closer than that IMO.

When Ponting was at the peak of his powers this would be a non discussion, I just wonder how much his career record has been tarnished by being so poor for so long at the end?

Apart from his last crap series in Oz, Dravid was a formidable batsmen pretty much his whole career.

I'll give Ponting the nod but only just, and that is based on his career up to around 2006 and ignoring the last 6 years (which in itself does Dravid a massive injustice) As the others have said Ponting could play to any match situation and was certainly a lot more enjoyable to watch. Dravid still an absolute gun though.

14-05-2013, 05:58 PM

Geoffboycott

I think if the wicket is doing a bit and your against a top quality attack of pace and spin and you lose an early wicket you want dravid coming in all day long. I have massive respect for ponting and his game but the only way I see he has the edge over dravid is he gets his runs a lot quicker. Dravid was a better slipper aswell but not as good else where in the field. Pontings the best fielder I've ever seen and in the top 10 batsman in the last 40 odd years. But I rate Rahul higher

14-05-2013, 06:01 PM

silentstriker

Ponting, for sure. I love Dravid, but Ponting at his best was definitely better. And pretty clearly too.

14-05-2013, 06:14 PM

Jono

I would have Dravid's babies, but Ponting was better. Both all-time greats though.

14-05-2013, 06:16 PM

Red Hill

I'm such a massive fan of both players.

Dravid was a magnificent batsman. One of my favourites. I find it staggering that Tendulkar gets so much attention from everyone while Dravid (who batted in a tougher position) gets much less.

Ponting, in his pomp and prime, was unbelieveable.

14-05-2013, 06:20 PM

kyear2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffboycott

I think if the wicket is doing a bit and your against a top quality attack of pace and spin and you lose an early wicket you want dravid coming in all day long. I have massive respect for ponting and his game but the only way I see he has the edge over dravid is he gets his runs a lot quicker. Dravid was a better slipper aswell but not as good else where in the field. Pontings the best fielder I've ever seen and in the top 10 batsman in the last 40 odd years. But I rate Rahul higher

Ponting to me was also the better slipper in particular to pace. Dravid had the edge vs spin as Ponting rarely fielded the the slips to Warne. Overall fielder, Ponting hands down.

14-05-2013, 06:26 PM

Jono

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adders

Apart from his last crap series in Oz, Dravid was a formidable batsmen pretty much his whole career.

Nah there was a period from 2008-2010 where Dravid was seriously below par. I reckon there were people who thought Dravid was shot at the end of the Australian tour to India in 2008 actually.

I distinctly remember, after Dravid had a poor series, SirBloodyIdiot declared that he's not an all-time great anymore :ph34r:

14-05-2013, 06:45 PM

Top_Cat

Yeah, Dravid in '08 was seriously found out by guys like Johnson. Remember him having so little idea the whereabouts of his off-stump, was wondering whether his eyes had gone.

14-05-2013, 06:48 PM

Jono

Similar to how you thought Kallis' eyes were gone in 2007.

#willneverletyoulivethatdown :cool:

14-05-2013, 06:59 PM

watson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monk

I'm such a massive fan of both players.

Dravid was a magnificent batsman. One of my favourites. I find it staggering that Tendulkar gets so much attention from everyone while Dravid (who batted in a tougher position) gets much less.

So you are right Monk in saying that in his prime Ponting was 'unbelievable' - 'unbelievable' meaning an average of 73.91 sustained over 50 Test matches. The second best of all time if we discount the adjustment made by 'Days of Grace'.

14-05-2013, 07:20 PM

Geoffboycott

Tendulkar and Hobbs have the same average. Incredible.

14-05-2013, 07:24 PM

Red Hill

I remember reading an article that examined every batsman's peak consecutive 52 tests. 52 was used because that's what Bradman played.

From memory Ponting was clearly second best under those criteria. But I can't find the article. I think it was a cricinfo article.